EWB Fire Water
Climate change leads to more extreme weather. Urban areas experience more floods due to heavy rainfalls and a decreased buffer capacity (due to an increase of hardened surfaces). Runoff water is contaminated with heavy metals, mineral oils, etc. which makes it difficult to infiltrate it or reuse it when buffered. At the same time, droughts cause an increased scarcity of water sources, damage to foundations of buildings, salinization, forest fires and problems for agriculture, flora and fauna.
EWM filters, buffers and stores runoff water, and infiltrates it if necessary. Runoff water contaminated with heavy metals, mineral oils, etc. is treated and stored underground, making it available for reuse in all kinds of applications (extinguishing water for the fire-departments, irrigation, process water, etc.), while saving money on drinking water. EWM increases ground water levels and prevents desiccation and salinization during dry periods, by safely infiltrating the treated water.
Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing).
The solution is used successfully in a structurally operational environment. The user can and wants to recommend the solution to others.
The solution is used successfully in a structurally operational environment. The user can and wants to recommend the solution to others.
Full scale demonstration implemented in the Dutch Municipality Goes at the local sports facilities (field hockey). Project was executed as part of a (public) tender, which demanded that the implemented system would safe significantly on drinking water use. Project was won on the characteristics related to the ability to safe drinking water (currently used for the irrigation of artificial sports field as well). Need to note that several small technological questions need to be answered, such as the need to monitor water quality (input and output) as part of risk-management of potential end-users (water authorities, municipalities, etc.).
How does it work?
The innovation is a combination of underground buffering preceded by several ecological treatment steps. Contaminated runoff water is collected through a drainage system, after which it is treated up to standards of Dutch legislation (as elaborated in the 'infiltration decision soil protection'). Treatment is done through a mix of granulated shells and the ‘AA Mineral Mix’. The granulated shells also have a buffering effect. After treatment, the water is stored in an underground buffer, which contains an Airlift system in order to have permanent flow. As a next step, before reuse, the water quality is improved through a bioreactor and the AA vitaliser. If necessary, large volumes of treated water can be infiltrated through the DSI system.
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